Connecting means

ABSTRACT

Connecting means for releasably attaching a sheet-like member to a support, and including a thread attached to a sheet-like member so as to have sections thereof exposed on one surface of that member. The thread sections are arranged so as to tangle with or locate within flexible hook-like elements such as those used in the well known &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;Velcro&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; fasteners. Cooperative engagement between the &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;Velcro&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; hooks and the thread sections is facilitated by having the thread sections extending transversely across a valley formed by a tuck or fold in the sheet-like member, and a tensioning thread is applied to that member to retain the tuck or fold and permit the thread sections to extend relatively loosely across the valley in the sheet-like member.

United States Patent [1 Bin:

[ Sept. 17, 1974 CONNECTING MEANS [75] Inventor: Rodney James Bini,Rosanna,

Australia [22] Filed: Dec. 4, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 312,105

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Primary ExaminerBobby R. Gay

Assistant ExaminerDarrell Marquette Attorney, Agent, or FirmDiller,Brown, Ramik & Wight [57] ABSTRACT Connecting means for releasablyattaching a sheet-like member to a support, and including a threadattached to a sheet-like member so as to have sections thereof exposedon one surface of that member. The thread sections are arranged so as totangle with or locate within flexible hook-like elements such as thoseused in the well known Velcro fasteners. Cooperative engagement betweenthe Velcro hooks and the thread sections is facilitated by having thethread sections extending transversely across a valley formed by a tuckor fold in the sheet-like member, and a tensioning thread is applied tothat member to retain the tuck or fold and permit the thread sections toextend relatively loosely across the valley in the sheet-like member.

10 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures CONNECTING MEANS This invention relates tomeans for providing a releasable connection between two members, and isparticularly concerned with such means for connecting a flexible sheetmember to a support member or structure. By way of example, theinvention is suitable for providing the connection between a sheetmaterial headrest or backrest cover and a seat or chair, and it will beconvenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to thatexample application.

Sheet material head rest covers find wide use in passenger vehicles suchas aircraft, buses and trains, and because of soiling it is desirable tochange such covers at frequent intervals. As a result it is necessary tohave attachment or connecting means which is convenient to secure andrelease, but is not susceptible to inadvertent release during normal useof the associated cover. Many different types of connectors have beenproposed in the past, and one that has achieved some measure of successemploys VELCRO (registered trade mark) patches on both the cover sheetand the seat to which that cover is attachable.

Each of the aforementioned VELCRO patches comprises a sheet materialbase such as a length of nylon tape, carrying a large number ofhook-like elements which project from one surface of the tape. Usually,the hooks are each formed from a thread or loop of nylon or othersuitable material, and they are generally arranged in rows. In use, thehooks of one patch inter-mingle and catch with hooks of the other patchto form the releasable connection, and the hooks can be distorted toresult in disengagement by pulling one patch outwardly away from theother.

A disadvantage of the VELCRO arrangement is that each patch isrelatively expensive and must be secured to its respective member byfurther attaching means. That is, each patch must be stitched, adhered,or otherwise secured to its respective member, and that attachment mustbe stronger than the holding power of the connected VELCR patches. Inaddition, each patch must be accurately positioned on its respectivemember so that a correct relationship exists between the two memberswhen connected. The result is that the VELCRO arrangement is relativelyexpensive and there is a very real need for a cheaper acceptablealternative, particularly for disposable seat covers.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide aconnecting means for releasable attachment of two members, that isinexpensive and has substantial holding power. It is a further object ofthe invention to provide a seat cover member having novel connectingmeans provided thereon.

As will be appreciated from the foregoing, connecting means of the kindunder consideration are two-part structures. In its basic form, thepresent invention relates to one part only of such a structure in thatthe other cooperable part is of a known form. In particular, the novelconnector part according to the invention is adapted for cooperationwith a VELCRO pad or an equivalent or similar structure formed from atextile or synthetic material, and comprises a thread attached to asheet-like member and having sections exposed on one surface of thatmember for cooperative engagement with the hook-like elements of theother connector part.

Considering the invention in relation to seat covers, a great manytransport companies and organizations have VELCRO pads on their existingvehicle seats,

and such pads retain their holding power over a considerable period oftime. Thus, the expense factor in I VELCRO constructions results mainlyfrom the need to provide a new pad with each cover, and in the case ofdisposable covers that means a new pad with each cover change. Thepresent invention however, permits the holding power feature of theVELCR fastener to be retained whilst reducing the expense of that partof the connector provided on the disposable cover.

The following description refers in more detail to these essentialfeatures and further optional features of the invention. To facilitatean understanding of the invention, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings where these features are illustrated in preferred form. It isto be understood however, that the essential and optional features ofthe invention are not limited to the specific forms of these features asshown in the drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a typical seat headrest cover embodying oneform of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of an edge portion of the headrest covershown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line IIIIII of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of portion of a typical VEL- CRO-type pad;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line VV of FIG. 3 and showing aVELCRO hook engaging the connector thread of the headrest cover;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing a different embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but showing the VELCRO hookcooperating with the embodiment of FIG. 6; and I FIG. 9 shows avariation of the FIG. 6 embodiment.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show connecting means according to the invention applied toa sheet material seat cover, and that connecting means includes at leastone thread 2 of a textile or synthetic material looped through (i.e.,threaded through) the sheet material 3 so that sections 4 thereof areexposed on a back or under surface 5 of the sheet material, which is thesurface arranged to lie adjacent the seat surface to be protected (notshown). FIG. 4 shows portion of a tape 6 or similar backing memberhaving a plurality of rows of hook-like elements 7 projecting upwardlytherefrom, and in that respect the figure roughly represents part of aVEL- CRO pad. In practice, the VELCRO" hooks 7 tend to grab or tanglewith the exposed thread sections 4 as shown in FIG. 5, and that tendencywill generally vary in accordance with the texture of the threadsections.

nection is the disposition of each thread section 4 relative to thesurface 5 over which it extends. If the thread 2 is loosely interwovenwith the sheet material 3 as Another factor influencing the strength ofthe coni shown in FIG. 3, each thread section 4 will be adapted to moveclear of the under-lying material surface 5, and even a small amount ofseparation between the thread sections 4 and that surface will improvethe ability of the VELCRO hooks 7 to pass around the thread 2 or aroundfibres of the thread.

In a preferred arrangement as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the same effect isachieved by forming a tuck or fold in the sheet material 3 beneath thethread sections 4, and the thread itself may be arranged to retain thattuck or fold in the material. That is, each thread section 4 extendsacross a valley or space 8 into which VELCRO hooks 7 can project andlocate around the thread sections 4 or fibres thereof as shown in FIG.8.

It will be appreciated that the tuck or fold need not be particularlydeep, and its width will depend upon requirements. If desired, aplurality of folds may be formed side by side so as to extend theeffective area of the connecting means.

The connecting means thread 2 may be applied to the base sheet material3 as shown in FIG. 6, or in a stitch pattern such that two laterallyspaced lines of stitching 9 are formed with transverse interconnectingsections 11 disposed in substantially zig-zag fashion as shown in FIG.9. In the FIG. 6 embodiment, the thread 2 is not passed through thesheet material 3, but is secured thereto by two lines of further thread12 stitched to the sheet material 3. The valley 8 is formed beneath thetransverse sections 4 of the thread 2 by a tuck or fold 13 as previouslydescribed, and it is further preferred that the thread 2 is formed of arelatively loose or fluffy fibrous material such as rayon. If the thread2 is applied to a flat surface of the base sheet material 3 as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, it is usually under less tension and therefore looser orfluffier than if extended across a tuck or fold as shown in FIG. 6.Nevertheless, it is generally found that the second type of arrangementhas the greatest resistance to separation.

The tuck or fold type of arrangement can be further improved byproviding two separate sets of stitching across the tuck or fold 13 asshown in FIGS. 7 and 8. One set, comprising thread 14, is arranged totake the tension resulting from the tendency of the valley 8 to widen orflatten, and the other set, comprising thread 2, is relatively looselyarranged so as to have maximum fluffiness and consequently maximumsusceptibility to entangle with the VELCRO hooks 7. The threads 2 and 14need not be on opposite sides of the sheet material 3 as shown in thedrawings, but that arrangement is preferred. Both threads. 2 and 14 canbe retained by the holding thread 12, and thread 14 can be arranged inzig-zag fashion, or in any other desired pattern. The threads 2, 12 and14, can be all applied to the sheet material 3 in a single operation.

It will be appreciated that a great many stitch patterns are availablefor use with this invention. Generally however, the pattern of thread 2should be such that a space is defined between adjacent thread sections4 so as to facilitate insertion of VELCRO hooks 7 therebetween toeffect'a relatively high degree of entanglement. In addition, severalrows of stitching may be provided, and they can be arranged in side byside relationship, in intersecting relationship or in a combination ofthose relationships.

When the invention is applied to a headrest cover, an example of whichis shown in FIG. 1, the thread 2 is preferably located at or adjacentthe edge 15 of the cover sheet 3 that is normally uppermost when in use,and it will generally extend transverse to the up and down axis of thecover as that corresponds to'the normal positioning of VELCRO pads onaircraft and other vehicle seats. The length of the stitching may bedetermined according to requirements and may extend the full width ofthe cover sheet 3 (as shown) if desired, but it need not besubstantially longer than the VEL- CRO pad to which it is to be attachedso that the mounted position of the cover is held within reasonabletolerance. In some cases, the cover may be attached to two or morelaterally spaced VELCRO pads in which event the stitching preferablyextends the full width of the cover, although separate sections ofstitching may be provided for each pad if desired.

The connecting means of the present invention may be also used on acover having attaching means according to either of Australian patentapplications Nos. 31204/71 and P.A. 6855/71, so'that such a cover can beapplied to the seats having any one of several different types ofcooperable connectors.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing description that the presentinvention provides a simple yet effective connecting means, and animproved disposable seat cover having such connecting means appliedthereto. One particular feature of the invention is that the connectingmeans is in effect self-attaching to the base sheet material, so thatextraneous attaching means such as adhesive is not required andmanufacture is simplified.

Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modificationsand/or additions may be introduced into the constructions andarrangements of parts previously described without departing from thespirit or ambit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

l. A sheet member having connecting means and a connector comprising aseries of flexible hook-like elements projecting from a base surface,said connecting means including a thread attached to said sheet memberso that sections thereof are exposed at one surface of said sheet memberand are tangled with said hooklike elements releaseably retaining saidsheet member in association with said connector, a fold in said sheetmember defining a valley, and said thread sections extendingtransversely across the valley, said hook-like elements passing intosaid valley during the engagement thereof with said thread sections.

2. A sheet member according to claim 1, wherein a further thread retainssides of said fold against substantial separation, and said threadsections extend relatively loosely across said valley.

3. Connecting means including two separable parts, one said partcomprising a thread attached to a sheetlike member so that sectionsthereof are exposed on one surface of said member, and the other saidpart comprising a series of flexible hook-like elements projecting froma base member attached to a support, at least some of said hook-likeelements locating around at least part of said thread sectionsreleasably attaching 4. Connecting means according to claim 3, wherein afurther thread retains sides of said fold against substantialseparation, and said thread sections extend relatively loosely acrosssaid valley.

5. A sheet member according to claim 1 wherein stitching extending alongopposite sides of said valley and substantially parallel thereto fixedlysecures each thread section relative to said sheet member.

6. A sheet member according to claim 5 wherein said thread is disposedentirely on one side of said sheet member.

7. A sheet member according to claim 1 wherein said thread is applied asstitching and includes stitch sections extending parallel to said valleyon opposite sides thereof between adjacent ones of said thread sections.

8. A sheet member according to claim 7 wherein further stitchingextending along opposite sides of said valley and substantially parallelthereto fixedly secures each thread section relative to said sheetmember, said further stitching being coordinated with said stitchsections and clamping ends of said stitch sections against said sheetmember.

9. A sheet member according to claim 2 wherein stitching extending alongopposite sides of said valley and substantially parallel thereto fixedlysecures each thread section and said further thread relative to saidsheet member.

10. A sheet member according to claim 9. wherein said thread and saidfurther thread are each disposed on only one side of said sheet member,and said thread and said further thread are disposed on opposite sidesof said sheet member.

1. A sheet member having connecting means and a connector comprising aseries of flexible hook-like elements projecting from a base surface,said connecting means including a thread attached to said sheet memberso that sections thereof are exposed at one surface of said sheet memberand are tangled with said hooklike elements releaseably retaining saidsheet member in association with said connector, a fold in said sheetmember defining a valley, and said thread sections extendingtransversely across the valley, said hook-like elements passing intosaid valley during the engagement thereof with said thread sections. 2.A sheet member according to claim 1, wherein a further thread retainssides of said fold against substantial separation, and said threadsections extend relatively loosely across said valley.
 3. Connectingmeans including two separable parts, one said part comprising a threadattached to a sheet-like member so that sections thereof are exposed onone surface of said member, and the other said part comprising a seriesof flexible hook-like elements projecting from a base member attached toa support, at least some of said hook-like elements locating around atleast part of said thread sections releasably attaching said sheet-likemember to said support, a fold in said sheet-like member defining avalley, and said thread sections extending transversely across thevalley, said hook-like elements passing into said valley during theengagement thereof with said thread sections.
 4. Connecting meansaccording to claim 3, wherein a further thread retains sides of saidfold against substantial separation, and said thread sections extendrelatively loosely across said valley.
 5. A sheet member according toclaim 1 wherein stitching extending along opposite sides of said valleyand substantially parallel thereto fixedly secures each thread sectionrelative to said sheet member.
 6. A sheet member according to claim 5wherein said thread is disposed entirely on one side of said sheetmember.
 7. A sheet member according to claim 1 wherein said thread isapplied as stitching and includes stitch sections extending parallel tosaid valley on opposite sides thereof between adjacent ones of saidthread sections.
 8. A sheet member according to claim 7 wherein furtherstitching extending along opposite sides of said valley andsubstantially parallel thereto fixedly secures each thread sectionRelative to said sheet member, said further stitching being coordinatedwith said stitch sections and clamping ends of said stitch sectionsagainst said sheet member.
 9. A sheet member according to claim 2wherein stitching extending along opposite sides of said valley andsubstantially parallel thereto fixedly secures each thread section andsaid further thread relative to said sheet member.
 10. A sheet memberaccording to claim 9 wherein said thread and said further thread areeach disposed on only one side of said sheet member, and said thread andsaid further thread are disposed on opposite sides of said sheet member.